Phil Harris, whose adventures off of the Alaskan coast were shown on the show “Deadliest Catch”, has died at 53 from a massive stroke on Jan 29. The stroke occurred while his vessel, Cornelia Marie, was in port at St. Paul Island, Alaska. The captain was flown immediately to Anchorage for surgery but died last night due to complications.

“Deadliest Catch” depicts the crab fishing industry in the dangerous waters off Alaska and has been running for five seasons now. Captain Phil Harris’ vessel has been one of the few featured on every season. At 21, Harris took a fishing vessel out of Seattle, making him one of the youngest captains to take a vessel in the Bering Sea. Captain Harris became an immensely popular figure within the show due to his blunt personality, incredible work ethic, and unique sense of humor.

“It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to our dad – Captain Phil Harris. Dad has always been a fighter and continued to be until the end,” sons Josh and Jake Harris said in a statement. Elizabeth Hillman, Discovery Channel senior vice president, said in a statement, “Phil was a devoted father and loyal friend to all who knew him. We will miss his straightforward honesty, wicked sense of humor, and enormous heart.”